"Carry me." She whined as she sat on the door stepped, arms stretched out in some thickheaded demand for special attention.

"No." I tapped the tip of my shoes on the floor, just to make sure they were properly on.

I didn't know what they were called, just that they were made of leather, didn't have any noticeable details in the design, and they weren't high heels. They weren't a perfect fit, just a bit loose around the tip but they won't slide off right out of the blue. A little uncomfortable but they said it was better than going around town barefoot. Not that I disagreed with that assesment but I've walked through worse so it wouldn't be much trouble. I didn't like the stares they gave me after I said that, but that's another story.

"...Y'know, I haven't really told mum how you cut my leg..."

"...You wouldn't..."

"And then there's how you tried to drop me from the sky..."

I groaned in defeat as I crouched to the ground with my back to her. I got the point of the threat, but then again, if she really wanted me to listen, she could always just threaten me with the remote. I actually couldn't decide which was worse, choke and maybe pass out from oxygen deprivation, or disappoint and possibly earn the ire of someone who looked like a relatively decent person. Ah, choices... Screw'em, along the people who get to make them.

"That was fast." June actually had the gall to look surprised at that. "Could be faster, though."

"Get on with it." And quit wasting out time please.

"From the front please. And make it a princess carry." Do you even have any sense of shame whatsoever?

"Hell. No." She looked at me expectantly for some reason. Was she hoping for me to change my mind? "Hurry up."

I grunted, and she shrugged, still looking just a bit too pleased with herself for my taste. She slowly got on my back and settled for a piggy back ride and for a second, I was tempted to just fall on my back and let her slam right into the ground.

Ms. Ellie had a small glint of amusement in her eyes as she watched from the gates. Even though she's already changed clothes, she still wore the same red shawl. I could relate to the shawl, I'd rather have my cloak on too. I'm feeling way too exposed right now. Not that look on her face though. Actually, I probably could, if I could just push her daughter to be someone else's problem.

"Onwards, great steed!"

I shot June a short glare before I got up and walked. She wasn't heavy, but it was annoying how she kept rubbing her chin on my head. Needless to say, she was getting on my nerves.

"Giddy up! Faster, girl!"

I clicked my tongue. Alright, you want to go fast? How about a quick flying lesson?

I took a step back—

—unto the rooftop. There was a gentle breeze, accompanied by the slight warmth from the morning sun. Behind me was a clear view of the front yard. It wasn't anything special. Patches of overgrown grass, the occasional tree, and a few flowerbeds here and there. The whole neighborhood seemed... humble. The dorm seemed to be the highest building in the vicinity. Everything else just came slightly short. The houses were small, and looked.. I guess compact is the word to use here. There were at least two of them in each lot.

"Hey—wait!" Oh, right. "Don't you dare..."

I tried not to smirk as I stook another step back and let myself fall. I could hear her clenching her teeth as she tightened her grip around me. She didn't scream, even as I thought I felt her entire stiffen for just a second.

I was satisfied as the view of the clear morning sky—

—slipped and turned into grass. I shot up from the ground, letting gravity do most of the work as I landed on my feet even if I did stumble back a bit. Hm. I didn't account for the extra weight. That's interesting, but it was a stupid mistake. I'll have to do something about that just in case I have to do it again sometime in the future. I was too preoccupied with my thoughts that I completely failed to realize that an arm had already wrapped itself around my neck. I winced, and I felt my neck tense up as a few memories were brought back but the sensation of fabric calmed me down.

"Don't..." June spoke in between shallow breaths. "...do that ever again."

That doesn't sound particularly threatening, but I'll keep it in mind.

"...No promises."

She took a few seconds to catch her breath, which made the short walk towards the gate relatively quiet, save for the panting coming from my back. Ms. Ellie watched from the gate, eyes unreadable as she just stood there with her arms crossed. She... doesn't seem angry, at least. Her posture seemed to be quite calm, and it was the same with her face. I didn't really know how to deal with her for now so I just kept my head down and tried to avoid eye contact.

I noticed her slowly raise a hand to my forehead and I braced myself and closed my eyes but... nothing happened. I slowly opened my eyes and saw her looking a little confused. There was an awkward pause but as soon as I moved I was—

—Holy shit, that hurts! Did she hit me with a rock?

"Try not to do that in public." She sighed as she pulled out a cap from underneath the shawl. Looks like a beret, but a little wider and had a short visor. I don't remember what it's called. But I do know that it had something to do with newspapers.

"...Yes, ma'am." Oh, keep a low profile, right.

My head stung even she kept fussing over the hat and completely ignored June. Speaking of which, the girl was still trying to catch her breath, retching all the while. She's not going to puke, is she? I shifted around uncomfortably, not really sure what to do with any of this. After what must've been a minute, Ms. Ellie stops and huffs satisfaction as she gave the hat one last pat.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"So," She had a slight smile on her face as she continued, giving June a short glance before returning her attention to me. "How are the clothes?"

"...They're fine." The shoes aren't but the rest are good enough. She narrowed her eyes at that.

"They're a little big." June butts in as I felt the weight of her chin pressing against the cap. That is... quite annoying.

She's fine already? I should've gone a little rougher. Maybe a higher fall, or some repeated shifts in orientation?

"Mm. Sounds about right." Ms. Ellie huffed. "June, get her some clothes when we're done."

"Roger!" I could practically hear her grinning through her voice as she leaned forward. It was easier to carry her, but I was uncomfortable with all the contact we were making. She sounded way more enthusiastic than I was ever comfortable with. Please, no. Don't make me deal with her anymore than I have to.

"Now come on, let's get this over with."

"Onwards!" And she's right back at it. She did not learn a single thing.

Ms. Ellie led the way, barely giving us a second glance as she walked out the gate and into the streets. After making sure I had a good grip on June, I took my first step forward and followed. The cobblstone streets were wide and had a distinct lack of traffic. No cars, even with the absurd walking space. Just the occasional passerby. Some of them gawked, the others just gave us a passing glance. It made me feel twitchy.

"...Hey." June said as she shifted her weight a bit.

I hummed, just to let her know I was listening.

"Nervous?" She asked and I just answered with another noncommital hum. She probably took that as a yes. "Well, think of it this way, then; You're the most dangerous thing on the streets right now."

I... don't quite understand what she was getting at. I hummed regardless.

"There's nothing out here that could possibly hurt you any more than you can hurt them." There's one on my back right now but I couldn't possibly say that now, could I? Besides, she sounds really patronizing.

"Don't." I blurted out. Not really sure what I was objecting to. All I knew was, whatever she was getting to, I didn't like it.

"...Alright." Thankfully, she relents. "Do you know where we're going?"

I shook my head. No point in talking if this was more than enough.

"There's a café just ahead." She pointed forwards, just a finger peeking in from the edge of my vision but I didn't really look where she was pointing at. "Uncle Monty owns the place."

"Who?"

"He... Well, that's not important." June shook her head as if to say that it was just too troublesome to even talk about. "He'll get you an ID."

"A fixer?" So, her Uncle's a crook or something? Sounds reasonable, to some level.

"He's technically an official." Alright, maybe now it doesn't.

"Technically?"

"Don't worry about it."

Oi, don't just stop there, talk. You can't just... Ah, whatever. I could use another coffee, and it's not like I'm in any place to judge.

"We're falling behind." She leans in to my ears.

"Then walk."

"No can do, hun." Her weight shifts and her voice sounds just the tiniest bit farther from me.

The crowds were getting thicker by the moment. I could see stalls selling all sorts of goods. It looked like a marketplace in her. Lively, smelly, and all kinds of noisy. I could see stalls selling food, clothes, rocks, knick knacks and... weapons? That's strange. There aren't any guns, though.

"Hey. Is that..." I pointed towards the same stall I just saw. Swords, knifes, all sorts of sharp objects that were probably made of steel.

"What? Oh." She paused for a while, but continued as if nothing was wrong. "It's completely legal, I assure you."

"Wait, what? Really? Why?"

"Well, we don't have any laws saying we can't carry them."

"...I have so many questions."

"One at a time. And keep up, please."

"Oh, right."

I jogged forward and made my way through the crowd. It wasn't very tight, and even then, they usually made way as soon as they noticed June on my back. Maybe it was consideration, fear, respec,t or just basic human decency but it was nice, I guess.

"Just straight ahead, a lady in red." Duly noted, though I don't understand why she had to make it rhyme.

I waited a good while as I jogged. It was annoying how her weight constantly tugs at my back, and my arms were starting to actually hurt.

"So, why's it legal?"

"Well, why wouldn't it be?"

"What do you mean—"

"Look," She huffed, accidentally blowing the hat off my head, though she quickly caught it. "You know what they say;"

June paused as she haphazardly placed my hat back on. Probably tilted, judging by how it almost went over my eyes. I felt her weight shift back as her arms left my shoulders.

"It is better to be violent!" she loudly proclaimed, and I swore I could hear that same playful dramatic flair from last night. "If there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence!"

The crowd stops in its tracks, and turns towards us. I froze, quickly scanning their faces, ready to jump at the slightest—

...Hm.

There were looks of bemusement on their faces. It was at that moment that I understood; They knew my pain. Okay, maybe they didn't. But they didn't understand a thing she was saying either. Joking aside, they seemed to know this she-devil on my back. This was normal, probably. They quickly went about their own business, and I summarily decided that I've had enough questions for today. Actually, let's make that for now, at least.

Come to think of it, there was that phone. Haven't read through that. Ah, I'll do it later. Maybe tonight. But for now, I just want to get out of here. And so I moved; more intent on leaving the immediate area and getting out of sight than getting anywhere in particular.

"Wrong way." Right, right...You've been very helpful so far, would you mind bashing your head on the floor for me? It would make me very, very happy.

I stopped, grunting as I motioned for her to point the way by nudging her with my head. June laughed out loud, for some strange reason that I couldn't quite parse. Par for the course, I suppose. It did make me wonder why she seems to love getting on people's nerves so much. It didn't look like Ms. Ellie was immune to her antics, just a bit more tolerant. Maybe I'll get used to it eventually too... That's a scary thought.

She taps my shoulder, making sure I could see the finger pointing to our left and...

It's a wall.

This is going to be a thing, isn't it?

"I can't just go through walls."

"Really? I'm pretty sure you could."

"No." Maybe if I mark it down but that's besides the point. I can't, and we don't want to make a scene by just disappearing into thin air now, do we?

She hummed thoughtfully to herself, before deciding to actually give me something useful.

"Behind you, then take a right. I'll tell you when to stop." Wasn't it supposed to be...? Oh, angles. Of course. You'd think I'd know that by now. I sighed as I followed her directions, walking right back into where we were earlier and moved on from there. I saw stalls and... we were just talking about weapons, right?

Come to think of it...

"Didn't you have something?"

"Have what?"

"A sword."

"What about it?"

"You don't have it—"

I was cut off as I felt her weight shift again, pulling me back and turning me around. I stopped moving after that, and found myself feeling quite irritated.

"We're going back."

"Why?"

"Chiri." There was a weird urgency to her voice. "I left my baby!"

I'm sorry, what?

"She must be feeling all cold and terrified and alone!"

"Huh, is that so?" Whatever the problem was, I was too tired to deal with it. "Too bad."

And so, I turned around and walked. If she wants to go back so much, then she should at least go back on her own two feet. Not that I'll let her.

I kept her legs hostage as I kept moving through the crowd, doing my best to ignore the stares, along with whatever June was doing on my back.

She's moving a lot, speaking loudly about her "little girl". First of all; you're scaring me. Second; I have no idea what you're talking about, and lastly; shut the hell up.

My arms were tired, and I think my back's going to be a little sore after this, but I kept walking, even if it was just to spite her.

It didn't take long before I saw a red shawl through the crowd. Ms. Ellie standing right outside building, impatiently tapping her feet as she kept toying a lock of hair with her hand.

Needless to say, the older lady looked very much displeased with the two of us.

In my defense, she started it. I'm innocent, I swear. Please, put your hand down, and—

Shit.

My forehead feels numb.